If you're worried about termite infestation, you're not the only one. While termites might not be as commonly found as the regular insects, termites are vastly destructive. Every year in the US alone, millions of dollars are lost to the damage caused by them. One termite by itself won't do significant damage, but an army of them is more than enough to damage homes of any size or age. They can chew through and destroy many things in your household within a short period without you being aware of them.
Since there's no US government agency monitoring the spread of termites, it becomes the responsibility of individuals to protect themselves and their homes from infestation. To the typical homeowner, all termites are the same. However, this is mostly untrue, and understanding the differences will help to monitor and protect yourself against them.
Types of Termites Popular Across The US
Across the entire United States, there are mainly three species of termites found: Subterranean / Formosan Termite, Southeastern Drywood termites, and the Dampwood termites. Each of these species differs from the other, and their uniqueness and differences are discussed below:
Subterranean / Formosan Termites:
Formosan termites are the most destructive termites in the US. This termite is famous for the gross damage it has caused (and keeps producing every year). They're fiercely aggressive insects that build their nests in the soil that surrounds a home. They infest
any wooden structures that are in contact with the mud tubes they create in contact with the ground and infest any wood in contact with that soil. They also build mud tubes as their channels through which they can tunnel into the home.
The Formosan Termites are dangerous because they can cause much damage in little time. They're often difficult to control without getting professional help.
Southeastern Drywood Termites:
The Drywood termites, like their name implies, are found inside the dry woods within the home. You'll find them in the roof, walls, and foundation. However, they don't cause as much damage as their counterparts as their colonies usually contain thousands of termites compared to others with millions.
Dampwood Termites:
Dampwood termites are more significant than the typical subterranean termites which are common across the United States. A Dampwood termite usually has a big head with pincers. These termites, unlike Drywood termites, prefer to nest within rotting wood. You'll find them in tree stumps, lumbers, and water-damaged wood.
They can be quite deadly as their damages are often hidden until they become severe.
Signs of a Termite Infestation
Termite infestations can be very stealthy in their home attacks, and in many cases, they would have caused sufficient damage before homeowners could tell that something is going on. Here are some sings you can watch out for to be able to tell when an attack is underway:
Wood Damage: Termites like to chew at wood, and when you begin to notice that wooden beams and frames in the house begin to rot and sound hollow, you may have a termite infestation problem.
Termite Droppings: Termite droppings, commonly referred to as frass, are usually found close to termite nests. Frass is small pellets that look like sawdust. They're a piece of straightforward evidence that you have termites around you.
Mud Tubes: Termites species like the Subterranean / Formosan termites build mud tubes as their channels to travel back and forth. You'll find these tubes close to your foundation and some wooden beams.
Termite Noises: Soldier termites often tap their pincers against a wood, signaling to their colony. This sound often continues non-stop, and if you place your ears against the wooden walls in your home, you may likely hear the noises.
How to Rid Your Home of Termites
If a termite infestation is underway in your home, the best thing to do is hire professional help in the form of termite treatment companies like the Daytona Beach Pest Control experts at Imperial Pest Prevention. These pest exterminators will rid your home entirely of termites using standard practices. These are some of the different treatment options which pest control companies may offer you:
Wood-Applied Treatments: This involves applying liquid termiticides to all the infected wood inside your home. This an efficient method that wipes out all colonies of termites located in these woods.
Soil-Applied Treatment: Much like the above, liquid termiticides are applied to the soil surrounding your home. The essence of this treatment is to prevent the pests from being able to reach your foundation. However, this treatment must be done with extreme caution as it can contaminate the home and environment.
Fumigation: Fumigation is the most elaborate treatment because it involves using toxic gas to rid the home of termites. This might seem extreme, but in cases of severe infestation, it's required. However, to pull this off, the house as to be empty of people for a few days because of the harmful effect it may have on people.
Termite Baits: Termite baits are based on cellulose, which is combined with a slow-acting insecticide. The cellulose attracts the termites, while the pesticide kills the termites slowly without them aware of what's going on.
5 Tips for Keeping Termites Away
While it's essential to understand how to protect your home during termite infestation, it's even more important to learn how to keep them away.
Rid your home of tree stumps and debris.
Repair all water leaks in and around the home.
Be careful of wooden foundations.
Prevent tree branches from touching the house.
Invest in regular termite inspection.
If you are in need of a Termite treatment company, WDO inspection, tent fumigation, or have any other pest control needs, seek out Imperial Pest Prevention. We can be reached at 386-956-9506.